AMHERST – The race for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia may have another candidate early next week.

The Cumberland North PC Association has scheduled what it’s calling an “exciting announcement” on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Amherst Family Health Clinic at which time Cumberland North MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin is expected to make her leadership plans known.

“Elizabeth has been a strong voice in Halifax for Cumberland North and we believe she is the right choice for the Progressive Conservative Party as we move forward into the next election,” the association said in a post to its Facebook page.

Smith-McCrossin said in mid-December that she was considering throwing her hat into the ring to replace former leader Jamie Baillie at the helm of the PC Party. Pictou East MLA Tim Houston and Kings North MLA John Lohr have already announced their candidacy while CBRM mayor and former cabinet minister Cecil Clarke is expected to announce he is running at an event on Saturday in North Sydney.

The MLA wouldn’t say whether she is announcing her leadership bid, but is looking forward to a “special announcement” and is inviting the community to participate.

She said both former premier Roger Bacon and former Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit MP Scott Armstrong will be in attendance.

“I will say this, our province is ready for a change and we need a fresh approach to doing things,” she said.

A former nurse and president of the Amherst Rotary Club, Smith-McCrossin defeated Liberal incumbent Terry Farrell in last May’s provincial election to become the first woman to be the MLA for Cumberland North.